I remember taking off on one of these in the old UAL livery from Sydney to SFO. 12 Hour flight, and I ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF IT. The takeoff I had compared to this one was a lot quieter for some reason, even though I sat within a few feet in front of the engines, IN BUSINESS CLASS, because the check in attendant saw my mom's frequent flyer things, that's part of the reason I enjoyed that flight, I can't imagine staying in a cramped coach seat for 12 hours! :P
This flight must have been virtually empty, just look at the length of runway it uses before lift off, the rate of climb and how quickly they retract the flaps. Impressive. Bueat view of Sydney as well.
My GF is a flight attendant for United. The way it works that United US crew flies 747 from San Francisco to Sydney, then same aircraft gets flown by United Australian crew to Melbourne and back to Sydney, short flight. Funny thing is that regular passengers can't buy tickets for this flight alone (to avoid competition with Australian carriers), only all the way from San Francisco to Melbourne. But airline employees and their family members can hop on this flight in Sydney with no problem.
United has more than one flight that ends in SYD. These often have full cabins, especially in Business and First Class, so they are very lucrative flights. By running one of these planes (that would be unused at the airport anyway) on to MEL, they can sell tickets to MEL as well. And while there are many times this plane is lightly loaded, I bet during big events in MEL it is full.
This was a very lightly loaded flight as well as a short one. The economy cabin was about 20% full at best. I'd guess that a 747 has plenty of engine power and when not loaded with a pacific crossing's worth of fuel, can really get up and go! Just my speculation though!
You're right, because Delta does not even operate 747s (though their merger with NW has some NW operated 747s painted in Delta colors). If you are saying a 747 would not operate this route at all, you are wrong. United does this every day. Not an emergency.
No, the plane probably has a light fuel load for Sydney to Melbourne. That's why the take-off roll was so short. Sydney to Melbourne is a VERY short flight for a 747.
As of 31 Dec 09 you are correct, but so was I at the time of my post. Delta has NEVER had a 747 in Australia so the point is that 2200BK was very uninformed.
United is allowed to fly within Australia for international connecting passengers only. So it is impossible to buy this flight from SYD-MEL only, you must purchase it as LAX-MEL (via SYD).
Oh, sorry, didn't know if it was upto the pilot's discretion. Anyways looks like u had fun, great take-off, how many pax were there? sorry if u had already answered this.
Sorry to disappoint you but Sydney airport sucks big time because of the domestic & international terminals being located away from each other plus the night time curfew, Melbourne airport operates 24 hours a day & both the domestic & international terminals are located in the one building.
I remember taking off on one of these in the old UAL livery from Sydney to SFO. 12 Hour flight, and I ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF IT. The takeoff I had compared to this one was a lot quieter for some reason, even though I sat within a few feet in front of the engines, IN BUSINESS CLASS, because the check in attendant saw my mom's frequent flyer things, that's part of the reason I enjoyed that flight, I can't imagine staying in a cramped coach seat for 12 hours! :P
Wow that was a fast takeoff. Note also how the B747 initially climbed like a rocket (relatively speaking).
wow i've never seen before a 747 retract the flaps so quickly :o
Nice video. Back in 2000 I flew the non stop LAX-MEL before it was discontinued.
This flight must have been virtually empty, just look at the length of runway it uses before lift off, the rate of climb and how quickly they retract the flaps. Impressive. Bueat view of Sydney as well.
Fastest 747 takeoff I've ever seen! It didn't even take half the runway to lift off!
My home airport of BNE (Brisbane) also operates 24 hours a day. Most in Ausralia do, SYD is the exception.
thats a quick take off if u think about it , it usualy takes alot of time for 747 to start to gain lift .. well done :)
excellent video.............................
My GF is a flight attendant for United. The way it works that United US crew flies 747 from San Francisco to Sydney, then same aircraft gets flown by United Australian crew to Melbourne and back to Sydney, short flight. Funny thing is that regular passengers can't buy tickets for this flight alone (to avoid competition with Australian carriers), only all the way from San Francisco to Melbourne. But airline employees and their family members can hop on this flight in Sydney with no problem.
You should have included the ATC. United always has an ATC channel. Nevertheless amazing video.
Have a good day sir!
United has more than one flight that ends in SYD. These often have full cabins, especially in Business and First Class, so they are very lucrative flights.
By running one of these planes (that would be unused at the airport anyway) on to MEL, they can sell tickets to MEL as well. And while there are many times this plane is lightly loaded, I bet during big events in MEL it is full.
This was a very lightly loaded flight as well as a short one. The economy cabin was about 20% full at best. I'd guess that a 747 has plenty of engine power and when not loaded with a pacific crossing's worth of fuel, can really get up and go! Just my speculation though!
This takeoff was pretty impressive. Straighten up, throttle up and GONE. But from the aircraft lining up probably didn't have much time for sitting1
Yes, from London. US flights from Sydney are done by V-Australia by 777 aircraft, also part of Virgin group.
You're right, because Delta does not even operate 747s (though their merger with NW has some NW operated 747s painted in Delta colors).
If you are saying a 747 would not operate this route at all, you are wrong. United does this every day. Not an emergency.
No, the plane probably has a light fuel load for Sydney to Melbourne. That's why the take-off roll was so short. Sydney to Melbourne is a VERY short flight for a 747.
As of 31 Dec 09 you are correct, but so was I at the time of my post.
Delta has NEVER had a 747 in Australia so the point is that 2200BK was very uninformed.
United is allowed to fly within Australia for international connecting passengers only. So it is impossible to buy this flight from SYD-MEL only, you must purchase it as LAX-MEL (via SYD).
@CPMaverick Actually, now those 747s ARE from Delta, as the merger of Northwest with Delta is complete, and the whole airline is now called Delta.
Nice Video
That was departing on runway 34L and you saw international terminal.
Yep, just like the Air New Zealand flight from SFO to Auckland, and back then there were no entertainment systems on the 747s, just footrests >_>.
Unfortunately United does not always have ATC. It is up to the pilot's discretion, and on this flight, it was turned off. :(
I know that's why I think more airlines should be flying into Melbourne airport because it's the only airport in Australia that operates for 24 hours
@SweatyFunSeeker Yes. A340-600 via Hong Kong.
Oh, sorry, didn't know if it was upto the pilot's discretion. Anyways looks like u had fun, great take-off, how many pax were there? sorry if u had already answered this.
Great video what's the in flight service like is United Airlines any good?.
That's because the aircraft was lightly loaded with fuel as it was a shorter flight.
I can see my house from up there!
wow sydney's airport is huge, was that the dom or Int i saw?
@nathanbrett15 The code is MEL
@CPMaverick Delta have only ever flown a 777-200LR to Sydney and will stick to it.
What row were u in??
Was this from Los Angeles? Did u just stay in ur seat while sum disembarked?? ;)
how did u record this when u cant have electronic devives switched on in the plane
What's United in flight service like is it any good.
Cos thats where the action is
a delta airlines 747 wouldnt fly from syd to melb unless it was an emergency .
I've always wanted to know how it looks like on the other side of the world. Man, I'm becoming impatient until i become a pilot :/
Its only an hour to Melbourne so not much fuel needed
The crew member on the PA sounds very American to me......
Sorry to disappoint you but Sydney airport sucks big time because of the domestic & international terminals being located away from each other plus the night time curfew, Melbourne airport operates 24 hours a day & both the domestic & international terminals are located in the one building.
@nathanbrett15 or YMML
search: melborne icao @ google :)
how did u record this when u cant have electronic devives switched on in the plane